R 181938Z MAY 09
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JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3//
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SECDEF WASHDC
USMISSION GENEVA 
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UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000517 
 
 
JOINT STAFF FOR DIR, DIR-J3, DIR-J5 
SECDEF FOR PK/HA, ISA, AFR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL UNSC MOPS KPKO
SUBJECT: UN BRIEFING NOTE ON FIELD OPERATIONS 
APRIL 29 - MAY 5, 2009 
 
¶1. On May 11, 2009, Security Council President Churkin  (Russia) 
transmitted the following Briefing Note to the Security Council on 
UN field operations covering the period of April 29-MAY 5, 2009. 
 
¶2. Begin text of Briefing Note: 
 
Africa 
 
--Burundi (BINUB): On 29 April, the African Union Special Task Force 
and the Forces de Dfense Nationales (FDN) destroyed unserviceable 
FNL arms and ammunitions, and on 
30 April the Government and the FNL signed formal documents 
certifying that the FNL had been completely disarmed. Also on 30 
April, the Political Directorate met to discuss the progress in the 
implementation of the DDR programme. South African General Mgwebi 
indicated that the integration of the 3,500 FNL elements into the 
army and police was almost complete, and that the processing of the 
5,000 FNL elements for demobilization and the 11,000 elements 
considered 'associated adults' would commence once the FNL had 
produced the required lists. On 30 April, the Government and the FNL 
agreed on the nomination of 105 FNL officers into the FDN. During 
the reporting period, local media continued to report about the 
risks related to the presence of disgruntled FNL elements in the 
pre-assembly sites in the north-western provinces. On 2 May, 
following a request from the Facilitation, GTZ, a German 
organization, started food delivery to all pre-assembly areas, which 
is expected to reduce FNL-associated criminality. On 4 May, 
mid-level FNL commanders commenced a campaign aimed at sensitizing 
FNL elements who are part of the demobilization and 'associated 
adults' caseloads. Also on 4 May, children associated with the FNL 
protested against their living conditions at the Gitega 
Demobilisation Centre and temporarily took a staff member hostage. 
On 29 April, the Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union 
(IPU) unanimously adopted a resolution on the expulsion of the 22 
CNDD-FDD parliamentarians in June 2008, stating that the IPU 
believes that they "were removed from office for practical political 
reasons lacking any genuine legal basis." On 30 April, the 
presidents of the National Assembly and Senate closed the first 
Parliamentary session of 2009. 
 
--Central African Republic (BONUCA): On 29 April, the OIC for 
BONUCA, Sammy Kum Buo met with President Boziz to brief him on the 
latest developments regarding efforts to encourage the MLCJ leader, 
Captain Abakar Sabone, to end his movement's rebellion and return to 
the peace process, and to seek the cooperation of the CAR Government 
in facilitating those efforts. The President commended the United 
Nations for its efforts to help stabilize the country, including 
current efforts to end the rebellion in the north.  President Boziz 
agreed to do everything possible to facilitate the return of the 
MLCJ leader and his three aides to Bangui to enable them to be part 
of the DDR process. On 30 April, the BBC reported that troops in the 
CAR had killed up to 30 civilians in February in attempts to 
suppress the rebellion. On 5 May, OIC of BONUCA met with a 
delegation of the main democratic alliance in the CAR, the UFVN at 
their request, led by its Coordinator, Maitre Pouzerre.  The members 
of the delegation expressed concern over the delay in the 
implementation of the recommendations of the Inclusive Political 
Dialogue held last December. 
 
--Chad/CAR (MINURCAT): During the reporting period, State media 
reported an announcement by Prime Minister Abbas that Chad will hold 
a census between 20 May and 4 June in preparation for national 
elections. On 3 May, US Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration met 
with President Dby Itno in N'Djamena to discuss the situation in 
Darfur. The Governments of Chad and Sudan signed an agreement in 
Doha under the auspices of Qatar and Libya on 3 May in which they 
committed to create a climate of confidence for the implementation 
of past agreements, to refrain from using force against each other 
and to cease support for armed groups in each others' territories. 
The agreement also urged the Dakar Contact Group to take urgent 
actions towards the deployment of observers and joint protection 
forces along the Chad - Sudan border. During the reporting period, 
Chadian National Armed Forces reinforced their positions in response 
to reports of incursions by Chadian Armed Opposition Groups (CAOGs) 
from Darfur into eastern Chad. On 5 May, elements of Chad's air 
force exchanged fire with suspected CAOGs near Goz Beida. According 
to Radio France Internationale, Abderaman Koulamallah, spokesman of 
the CAOG Union des Forces pour la Resistance (UFR) claimed on 4 May 
that the group sought a change in government and said the Chad - 
Sudan agreement signed in Doha was not relevant to the internal Chad 
conflict. Meanwhile, on 5 May, Chad accused Sudan of sending armed 
elements into Chadian territory in contravention of the Doha 
agreement. Also on 5 May, armed men in military uniform attacked the 
UNHCR premises in Goz Beida, stealing money and equipment, and a 
Dtachement intgr de Scurit (DIS) post in Koukou Angaran was 
looted by armed elements.  As of 5 May, MINURCAT's strength stood at 
2,388 military personnel of the 5,200 authorized. 
 
--Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI): In an interview on national television on 
30 April, President Gbagbo assured that elections would take place 
in the course of October or November 2009, but stressed that their 
holding was contingent on the complete disarmament of former 
combatants. President Gbagbo estimated that 8 million voters would 
represent a sufficient electoral basis, and indicated that he would 
sign a presidential decree fixing the election date by the end of 
June at the latest, depending on progress in the identification and 
voter registration operations. In addition, the President announced 
the 5 May launch of the deployment of some 8,000 police and 
gendarmerie officers in mixed brigades throughout the country. A 
first wave of some 100 police and gendarmerie staff of the Ivorian 
defence and security forces were deployed to Bouak on that date. In 
turn, the Forces nouvelles (FN) announced that the same number of FN 
elements would be deployed to Abidjan on 6 May. Remedial 
identification and voter registration operations continued at 40 
registration centres in Abidjan. As of 5 May, 6 million voters had 
been registered, including 1.3 million in FN-controlled areas. In 
the operations for the reconstitution of lost or destroyed civil 
registers, some 175,000 requests had been filed with reconstitution 
commissions countrywide. 
 
--Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC): During the reporting 
period, there were ongoing clashes between the FARDC and the FDLR as 
Operation Kimia II continued in North Kivu. On 4 May, MONUC extended 
its list of priority areas for protection of civilians, to include 
Ishasha (105 km north-east of Goma), Itebero (36 km south of 
Walikale), Kasugho (40 km south-west of Lubero) and Kalembe (44 km 
north-west of Kitchanga). As of 5 May, about 255,000 displaced 
persons had returned to their villages of origin, mostly in Beni, 
north-west Lubero, Walikale, as well as Masisi and Rutshuru 
territories. On 30 April, Prime Minister Muzito signed a decree 
establishing the National Comit de suivi to monitor the 
implementation of the 23 March peace agreement between the DRC 
Government and the CNDP.  Meanwhile, MONUC reported that some 7,700 
Mayi-Mayi elements are yet to be integrated into the FARDC.  In 
South Kivu, the FARDC continued to build up its strength towards its 
objective of 25,000 troops for the upcoming phase of Operation Kimia 
II in that province. On 30 April, the UN Emergency Relief 
Coordinator warned of further displacements of population in South 
Kivu, as an estimated 100,000 people fled FDLR attacks since 
January. 
 
--Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS): So far, 20 political leaders have 
submitted their candidacy for the 28 June 2009 presidential 
elections. They include former Acting President Malam Bacai Sanha 
for the PAIGC, former President Mohamed Yal for the PRS, former 
Prime Minister Aristides Gomes for the PRID, former Transitional 
President Henrique Pereira Rosa, the Minister of Territorial 
Administration Baciro Dabs, the current President of the Audit 
Court, Francisco Fadul, for the PADEC, and one woman Ms. Francisca 
Vaz Turpin of the Union of Guinean Patriots.  On 1 May, the 
Secretary-General of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions 
of Guinea-Bissau called on the Prime Minister to dismiss the 
Minister of Finance and to pay salary arrears owed to civil 
servants.  He also called on the Government to begin reforms in the 
public administration, justice and security sectors.  He expressed 
solidarity with striking teachers who have been protesting for two 
weeks demanding the payment of salary arrears. The second ordinary 
session of the National Assembly began on 4 May and will end on 22 
May.  Some of its work-agenda includes discussions on a report on 
the Permanent Special Commission on Legal, Constitutional, Human 
Rights and Public Administration Affairs.  The country's Defense and 
Security Reconciliation Commission has scheduled 22 days of 
consultations with defense and security personnel in Bissau and the 
regions, starting from 4 May, to discuss the events of 1-2 March 
2009 surrounding the death of President Vieira and General Tagme, 
the role of the defense and security forces in democracy, 
institutional collaboration between defense and security personnel 
and prevention in the presidential elections. 
 
--Liberia (UNMIL):  On 30 April, a Malaysian Company, Sime Darby, 
and the Government of Liberia signed the concession agreement for 
the Guthrie Rubber Plantation, which is foreseen to include an 
investment of $ 800 million and the creation of over 20,000 jobs. On 
1 May, the former Chairman of the National Transitional Government 
of Liberia, Mr. Gyude Bryant, as well as the former managing 
director and deputies of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company were 
found not guilty for misappropriating $1 million from the company 
during the transition period. While the Executive Mansion issued a 
press release the following day accepting the court's verdict, 
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf publicly announced her "deep 
disappointment" with the decision, and the Minister of Justice 
expressed suspicion that the jury may have been unduly influenced. 
On 4 May, the Special Court for Sierra Leone rejected a request by 
the defence team of former President Charles Taylor for acquittal of 
war crimes charges. On 5 May, the Liberian Minister for National 
Security publicly confirmed media reports of the arrest in Guinea of 
Sekou Dammate Conneh, the former leader of the defunct rebel group 
Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD). During the 
period under review, Liberian authorities seized three parcels of 
Marijuana, each weighing more than 100 kg, in Nimba, Bong and 
Montserrado counties. 
 
--Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL): On 30 May, ERSG Schulenburg attended a 
meeting with senior officials of the All Peoples Congress (APC) and 
the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) at the invitation of President 
Koroma to discuss the Terms of Reference for the investigations into 
the alleged acts of sexual violence of 16 March, as well as the 
incidents of political violence during the same month in parts of 
the country. The parties requested technical and advisory assistance 
from the UN on establishing the panels. From 30 April to 1 May, a 
National Security Sector seminar was held at the International 
Military Training Team base in Freetown. The seminar  aimed at 
improving collaboration and understanding among the security sector 
agencies, particularly on issues related to crime, drug trafficking 
and the 2012 elections. Among the decisions taken at the meeting was 
the transformation of the Joint Drugs Interdiction Task Force 
(JDITF) into a Transnational Organized Crime Unit. Former British 
Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair visited the country from 28-29 April 
as part of his Africa Governance Initiative to establish the Sierra 
Leone Project with the aim of building capacity, improving 
governance and attracting investment. Mr. Blair met with the 
President and other key stakeholders around issues of effective 
co-ordination and accountability. 
 
--Somalia (UNPOS): The first of several training initiatives 
convened by UNPOS for senior officials from the Transitional 
Government ended on 30 April.  The four-day induction course was 
held at the Kenya Institute of Administration in Nairobi and covered 
issues related to constitutions, good governance for government 
offices, and recovery and development planning. 
 
--Sudan (UNMIS and UNAMID): 
 
UNMIS 
The security situation during the reporting period remained calm but 
unpredictable. Following some of the most violent clashes in 
Southern Sudan since the signing of the CPA, UNMIS facilitated 
reconciliation efforts between the Nuer and the Murle tribes in 
Jonglei State.  On 30 April, both tribes formed and deployed a 
reconciliation team to calm the situation and prevent further 
clashes. During the week under review, suspected Lord's Resistance 
Army (LRA) attacks were reported in Ezo, Nazara (20 km NW of Yambio) 
and Birisi (30 km SE of Yambio) in Western Equatoria State and along 
the Yei-Tore road (100 km SW of Juba) in Central Equatoria State. 
According to media reports of 3 May, the census results were 
submitted to the Presidency.  The report of the Joint Government - 
Three Areas - UN Assessment Mission to each of the Three Areas is 
being finalized after joint field visits concluded on 10 April. 
Preliminary findings include: an acknowledgment that the expulsion 
of the 13 international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) has 
created a significant gap in the delivery of the peace dividend and 
implementation of the CPA; a unanimous endorsement by the Three 
Areas of proposed and ongoing programmes by the INGOs; and the need 
to ensure a favourable legal operating environment for INGOs in all 
Three Areas. During the reporting period, a total of 109 
ex-combatants and members of Special Needs Groups from the SPLA in 
Kurmuk (Blue Nile State) were demobilized in the ongoing disarmament 
and demobilization process in Ed Damazin (also Blue Nile State). 
This brings the total figure to 2,445 since the start of the 
operation, or 48.9% of the 5000 cases slated for Blue Nile State. 
With the onset of the rainy season, the pace of returns has slowed 
down. UNHCR nonetheless reported the arrival of another 1,743 
persons in organized and assisted movements during the sixteenth 
week of the year, bringing the total figure for 2009 to 22,224. 
 
UNAMID 
On 29 April, the two staff members of an international 
non-governmental organization who had been held hostage in West 
Darfur since 4 April were released.  Also on 29 April, the AU High 
Level Panel on Darfur travelled to N'Djamena to discuss Chadian 
relations with Sudan and to visit Sudanese refugee camps in eastern 
Chad. On 2 May, Government of Sudan Military Intelligence engaged in 
an exchange of fire with Central Reserve Police in Nyala (South 
Darfur), resulting in three civilian casualties.  Joint Chief 
Mediator Bassol met with representatives from the Justice and 
Equality Movement (JEM) and the Government of Sudan in Doha on 5 May 
to discuss steps forward in the mediation process. 
 
Asia and Middle East 
 
--Afghanistan (UNAMA):  During the reporting period, 150 members of 
the Lower House of the National Assembly signed a letter of support 
for the Afghan Supreme Court's opinion on the extension of President 
Karzai's tenure after 21 May. On 2 May, President Karzai issued a 
decree on non-interference of Government officials in the electoral 
process. On 3 May, SRSG Eide issued a set of guidelines for the 
conduct of Government officials, candidates, supporters, electoral 
officials, media and international representatives relating to the 
electoral process. On the same day, SRSG Eide and the Head of the 
Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIDHRC), Dr. Sima 
Samar, held a press conference to present the political rights 
monitoring framework developed between UNAMA and AIDHRC. On 1 May, 
in the eastern province of Kunar, anti-government elements attacked 
a joint international military force and Afghan National Army (ANA) 
checkpoint, killing four international military forces soldiers and 
three ANA soldiers. On 5 May, in the southern region of Uruzgan, an 
improvised explosive device detonated while a UNAMA vehicle was 
passing; none of the UNAMA staff inside was injured. 
 
--India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP):  UNMOGIP Headquarters made its 
annual move from Islamabad to Srinagar, and reopened the Srinagar 
Headquarters officially on 1 May. On 30 April, the third round of 
polling for India's five-phase general parliamentary elections took 
place in the Anatnang-Pulwama constituency in Indian-administered 
Jammu and Kashmir. From 29 April to 1 May, anti-elections protests 
were held in Srinagar during which approximately 30 people were 
injured. During the reporting period, three suspected militants were 
reportedly killed in various conflict-related incidents in Doda 
District. 
 
--Iraq (UNAMI): A UNAMI delegation visited Mosul from 28-30 April to 
try to help decrease tensions between Kurds and Arabs in the Ninewa 
province, where the Kurdish political coalition, the Nineveh 
Fraternal List is currently boycotting meetings of the new 
provincial council. The delegation met with Governor Atheel Nujaifi 
and many other officials in the province - Arab, Kurdish and 
minorities - in three days of meetings to better understand the 
positions of the respective parties. Discussions continue and each 
side is considering proposals that would allow for some form of 
power-sharing in Ninewa. UNAMI Electoral Team continued to cooperate 
with IHEC regarding upcoming regional parliament elections in 
Kurdish region in July as well as for holding National Parliamentary 
Elections in 2009 or beginning of 2010.  An ICI Executive Committee 
meeting was co-chaired by UNAMI-SRSG and the Deputy PM Barham Saleh. 
It was agreed to hold an ICI Review Conference at ministerial level 
in October in Baghdad. The Iraqi Government subsequently suggested 
accelerating efforts for the ICI, streamlining the current ICI 
framework and aligning it to current Government trajectory before 
the Conference. On 29 April 2009, UNAMI issued today its 14th report 
on the human rights situation in the country covering the period 
from July to December 2008. The report, produced in cooperation with 
the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 
notes that although the period covered was characterized by further 
improvements in security, the overall human rights situation in Iraq 
remains a matter of concern. On 3 May 2009, on the occasion of the 
World Press Freedom Day, SRSG de Mistura expressed his strong 
support to the Iraqi media, which continue to be the victims of 
widespread violence. 
 
--Lebanon (UNIFIL):  On 29 April, UNIFIL observed a Lebanese 
civilian shooting at birds on the roof of a house in the vicinity of 
Harris (Sector West); he was arrested and the rifle confiscated by 
the Lebanese Armed Forces. On 1 May, electoral-related clashes took 
place during a campaign rally near At Tayyabah (Sector East). 
Supporters from one group fired gunshots into the air, leading to 
stone throwing by another group. The Lebanese Armed Forces 
intervened and restored order. A similar development was reported 
near Marjayoun (Sector East) on 2 May. Meanwhile, UNIFIL observed 12 
violations of Lebanese airspace, including 5 by fixed-wing aircraft 
and 7 by drone. 
 
--Lebanon (UNSCOL): On 29 April, the four generals held since 2005 
in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq 
Hariri were released upon the recommendation of the pre-trial judge 
of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. While their release generated 
considerable political debate, the situation has remained calm, and 
there have been no security incidents. Electoral preparations 
continue.  In a speech delivered on 1 May on the occasion of the 
decision of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Hizbullah 
Secretary-General Nasrallah criticised the UNIIIC for the detention 
of the four generals and the UN Secretary-General in reaction to the 
latest report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 
1559 (2004). 
 
--Timor-Leste (UNMIT):   On 30 April, UNMIT and the Government 
concluded negotiations on the agreement on the roles and 
responsibilities of UNMIT police and the PNTL during the 
consolidation phase. On 5 May, "Jardim 5 de Maio" (the Garden of 5 
May) was inaugurated in a ceremony in Dili to commemorate the tenth 
anniversary of the 5 May 1999 Agreement, which paved the way for the 
"Popular Consultation" on 30 August 1999.  On 30 April, UNMIT met 
with women representatives of political parties, who raised concerns 
about various issues, including domestic violence, the security 
situation, the role of the PNTL and women's participation in the 
upcoming suco (village) elections. On 1 May, the Peacebuilding 
Support Office approved financial assistance of $993,625 from the 
Peacebuilding Fund to support the return and reintegration of IDPs. 
 
--Western Sahara (MINURSO):  NSTR 
 
Europe and Latin America 
 
--Cyprus (UNFICYP): The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on 28 
April 2009, in relation to the "Orams case", that a judgment of a 
court in the Republic of Cyprus must be recognized and enforced by 
the other Member States of the European Union even if it concerns 
land situated in the northern part of the island. The two leaders 
met on 5 May accompanied by their representatives and without the 
presence of the UN and decided to accelerate the talks through more 
frequent meetings of their representatives.  During the reporting 
period, following a string of similar incidents, two restrictions of 
movement of UNFICYP personnel occurred, when UNFICYP soldiers were 
prevented by Turkish Cypriot Police from crossing to and from the 
northern part of the island. 
 
--Georgia (UNOMIG): On 4 May, SRSG Verbeke, EU Special 
Representative for the Crisis in Georgia Pierre Morel and 
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Charalampos 
Christopolos visited Sukhumi in their capacity as co-chairs of 
international discussions on security and stability.  They met with 
Abkhaz de facto Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba to discuss the 
modalities of the next round of discussions scheduled for 18-19 May 
in Geneva.  Following the signing of the Russian-Abkhaz agreement on 
cooperation on border protection on 30 April, the first units of the 
Russian border guard service deployed with equipment on the 
Abkhaz-controlled side of the ceasefire line on 1 May. 
 
--Haiti (MINUSTAH): On 29 April, following the publication of the 
senatorial election results, several political leaders expressed 
their dissatisfaction and announced their intention to appeal them. 
On 1 May - by the deadline for appealing the election results - 
eighteen candidates had filed complaints with the Bureaux de 
Contentieux in eight Departments. The Director-General of the 
Provisional Electoral Council assured that the cases would be 
studied without delay. On the same day, Prime Minister Pierre-Louis 
emphasized that job creation was a priority for her government and 
announced the expected creation of 150,000 to 200,000 jobs over the 
next two years. On 4 May, an 11-member delegation of the ECOSOC Ad 
Hoc Advisory Group to Haiti arrived for a four-day official visit. 
On the same day in Port-au-Prince, MINUSTAH Police assisted the 
Haitian national Police in confiscating 20 pounds of cannabis on 
board a vehicle coming from Les Cayes (South Department) and 
arrested two suspects during the operation. During the night of 29 
to 30 April, heavy rains caused a river in Logane (West Department) 
to flood adjacent areas, although no major damages were reported. 
 
--Kosovo (UNMIK): Kosovo-Serb protests against the reconstruction of 
houses owned by displaced Kosovo-Albanian families continued almost 
daily during the first week of May. Reconstruction work started in 
late April in the Kroi i Vitakut / Brdjani area of Serb-majority 
northern Mitrovick / Mitrovica. On 5 May, approximately 100 
protestors breached the police line around a construction site 
forcing EULEX to use tear gas. No injures were reported. Meanwhile, 
in the eastern municipality of Kamenick / Kamenica, between 150 and 
300 people protested in the Kosovo-Serb village of Ranilug / 
Ranillug on 4 May against the confiscation of Serbian driving 
licences by Kosovo Police and the disconnection of the village from 
the power grid by the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) since 24 
April. Pristina authorities were quoted on 5 May as saying that the 
International Monetary Fund (IMF) unofficially informed them that 
Kosovo had received enough positive votes to join the IMF. 
 
--Nepal (UNMIN): On 4 May, Prime Minster Pushpa Kama Dahal 
('Prachanda') resigned following the deeply polarizing stand-off 
between the Nepal Army and the Maoist party.  The Cabinet, with only 
one other member party in the coalition present (who also 
dissented), decided on 3 May to dismiss the Chief of Army Staff 
(CoAS); a decision that the President subsequently declared 
unconstitutional.  The dismissal followed a period of growing 
tensions between the Maoists and the Army Chief as well as between 
the Maoists and the other main political parties. Meanwhile, on 5 
May, the Security Council following an open session, issued a PRST 
expressing its concern about the current political crisis in Nepal 
and called on all parties to continue to work together in a spirit 
of compromise. 
 
 
End text. 
 
WOLFF